The Sounds of Silence

S - Luke 14:1-6 (NIV): "One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away. Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say."

O - Two "silences" are recorded here.  The first one I understand perhaps better than I should.  It's the ‘I don't want to get trapped by my answer’ silence. The prevailing conclusion to the first question of Jesus was that healing on the Sabbath was work and therefore forbidden, though there is nothing in the Scripture or in their personal experience to validate such a finding.  But with Jesus standing right there and asking the question silence is the only safe response.  It is the second silence which is the most troubling.  Jesus who is the truth speaks, acts and confirms God's opinion about healing and Sabbath.  Why didn't they rejoice with the man and affirm the truth?  This second silence is like the second death … extremely tragic and completely avoidable.  Simon and Garfunkel were right … silence does make sound.

A - Hopefully as my life grows forward I will want to respond more than "be safe."  Simply responding is childlike and holding back is not.  Jesus calls me/us to childlike.  As for responding to truth, and healing, and help, and loving my neighbor as myself … this is immediately in my capacity to choose well and my assignment today and every day is to respond to him who is truth … however it makes me look or feel.  I always meet Jesus at the truth.  He always starts at love, leads with mercy and then deals with the facts.  This forms the basis for a great day, great life and living hope.  The Lord rejoices with the truth. The superlatives (greatest commandments) carry the day again!

P - Lord who is truth,
Today your questions of two centuries ago are ringing in my ears reverberating in my heart. It always good to do good … any time, any day.  You do not want me to be controlled by cultural/religious moorings but free in the Kingdom where love always takes the lead.  Thank you for loving me first and most and for refusing to change your mind.  Thank you for assigning me to love the way I am being loved.  This I choose to do and to speak up in rejoicing with others and in rejoicing with the truth.
Love,
Steve